Welcome home, Michael!

After seven months, Michael continues to battle the after effects of COVID-19. Two weeks ago he had some difficulty breathing, and went to see the interventional pulmonologist.  She was concerned that there might be mucous or scar tissue occluding the stent, and set up a bronchoscopy for last Wednesday.  His shortness of breath and cough became much worse over the weekend, and I took him to the Vanderbilt ER last Sunday.  God was watching over him, because just as we got to the triage area, he "crashed".  They took him straight to a room and people came out of the wood work to help.  His oxygen saturation was 83% and his blood gases were abnormal.  He had what is called "acute respiratory failure with hypoxia and hypercapnia."  He was admitted to the ICU. 
 
A bronchoscopy was done the next day, and the doctor found that granulation/inflammation had filled the bottom of the stent and there as only a slit open.  They did not know how he was breathing at all.  They removed the stent and froze the tissue.

So, the tracheal stenosis is gone, but he still has tracheomalacia, which means the tissue in his trachea is soft and floppy, causing intermittent airway collapse.  They put him on BiPap, which forces the airway to open.  He will use it while sleeping, but also occasionally needs it during the day to open his airway.  They want him to stay close to the machine in case he begins to struggle.  He had to come home in an ambulance.  We are going to get a battery next week so that he can leave the house for appointments, etc.  We are also going to try to get a different machine that is actually an external ventilator and it is also portable.

In two weeks he will see the interventional pulmonologist to see what treatment options there are.  He does seem much better right now; his cough is better and he is breathing much better.  I am hoping that he will continue to improve as the inflammation caused by the stent removal decreases.

We appreciate your prayers, and ask that you pray specifically for a miracle to heal his trachea.  God is giving us strength for each day.  

I hate COVID; it has changed our lives forever.  I attended the funeral of a close friend whose life was taken by COVID this week.  COVID did not win that day - 2 Corinthians 5:8 - "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

COVID-19 is a monster.  Please, please get your vaccination!

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and to not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9